SEMA 2008 Friday Coverage

[Tom@StangTV]

Brembo was at SEMA this year showcasing their factory brake kits. These brakes are on cars such as the Corvette ZR1, 2010 Camaro SS and the STS-V for a reason. These cars demand the large amounts of stopping power to go with the amount of performance they have. One of the coolest features is an aluminum six piston caliper with a cast iron rotor that has an aluminum hat (featured in the CTS-V version).



The ZR1 version gets a ceramic Brake System that includes six-piston front and four-piston rear aluminum monobloc calipers with very a distinctive “Blue Devil” color and, of course, the Corvette logo. The biggest news is the rotors for the ZR1. The carbon ceramic brake discs are a first on a North America Production Car. Brembo also makes big brake kits for many different vehicles.

Visit www.brembo.com/ for further info.

[Tom@StangTV]

Granatelli Motorsports continues to develop new handling and power parts for late model muscle cars. Below are some of their newest products.

Watts Link for S197 Mustangs

Granatelli has introduced an all-new Watts Link for the new Mustang platform. The Watt's Linkage is a design that has been around since the 1700's, but has recently become popular on hardcore street and auto-cross machines. The advantages of the Watts Linkage is that produces less side-to-side movement than a typical panhard bar.

The Granatelli Watts link works on six and eight cylinder applications, including 2010 models that have a different housing.



Bolt-On "Extreme" Late-Model Mustang Sub Frame Connectors

Granatelli has long offered traditional sub frame connectors for Mustangs of all types and years. Now, GMS has introduced a new hard-core Extreme-version of it's subframe connectors which are not only bolt-in, but tie the ENTIRE chassis together.

The front link connects to the back of the K-member (can use with stock or aftermarket) and comes to the back of the car where it triangulates from the rear control arm and outside chassis reinforcement points. If you want additional stiffness, the sub frame connector can be welded in place. This is one of the most complete and extensive chassis-stiffening connectors we have seen.



Nitrous Spray Bar Cold Air Intake for Late-Model Mustangs

Granatelli has released a new S197 cold air intake that now contains a fuel and nitrous spray bar. The intake can be purchased separately or as a complete nitrous kit with the solenoids mounted on the side. Since the spray bars are after the air flow meter, you can also run a dry nitrous shot. Granatelli claims that their cold air intakes can support over 800 horsepower, and that the fuel and nitrous bars are designed for very complete atomization.

Check out the video that we filmed on the GMS Cold Air Intake.



2009 Emission Legal Air Flow Meters for Ford Vehicles

A 2008 mass air flow meter body change in 2008 led to Granatelli’s redesign of their meters featuring a billet constructed meter body. These new air flow meters are compliant with emissions standards and are offered in various colors. Granatelli also offers a MAF sensor cleaner that evaporates so you don’t have to remove the sensor to clean. This keeps your meter clean and running at optimal performance.

More on Granatelli at: http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/

[Tom@StangTV]

The ignition system is very important part of an engine’s performance. Pertronix’s Ignitor III has everything that your system needs, and then some. By using multi-spark throughout the entire rpm range the Ignitor improves combustion and has five times more spark energy than a points type ignition, claims Pertronix. It also features an available REV limiter that can be set by the user. And best of all, this product is fifty state legal.

With the ability to sense crank orientation from either the distributor cam lobe or a Pertronix magnet sleeve the Pertronix Ignitor III is ready to be put in any engine system. It also has a LED user feedback light for rev limit confirmation as well as a built in polarity and over current protections that will shut down the system if needed, preventing damage.

Visit www.pertronix.com for more info.

[Tom@StangTV]

Air Ride Technologies has introduced a revolutionary all-new bolt-in roll cage design called the Tiger Cage. The first produced versions will be available for the 1st gen Camaro and 2nd gen Nova. The cages are made from 304 stainless steel that uses a custom designed heavy-duty clamps which Air Ride claims will resist over 450 ft./lb. of rotational torque.

While the cage is not yet officially certified in any sanctioning bodies, it is pending SFI, NHRA, and SCCA certification. The roll cages do not require any cutting and is a direct bolt-in that can be welded for additional support. They are offered in basic, road race, and drag race versions with the ability to add optional bars!

VIDEO: We talked with Bret Voekel of Air Ride who showed us the Tiger Cage!



Here's a sweet close up of the 360-degree heavy duty clamp which Air Ride designed to fasten tubing to each other. Notice, this clamp can be used in planes other than 90-degrees!



Internal Leveling Sensor

What originally started as a military project, quickly became incorporated into domestic vehicles. Instead of having to mount sensors externally to monitor the vehicles ride height, the new strut design uses an internal infrared sensor. This is currently offered on the new Shockwave Air Ride struts, and is going to be one of the coolest new features of running an Air Ride-spec suspension!

Check Out Air Ride's Site at: http://www.ridetech.com/

[Tom@StangTV]

The boys from COMP Performance Group revealed more new parts and products than we could ever hope to editorially cover without a small army of writers.This is our feeble attempt and conquering their new parts announcements!

FAST New Budget Air/Fuel Ratio Meter

Not everyone can afford an expensive wide band 02 meter, but who doesn't want that bit of monitoring to make sure your not running too rich or lean? FAST has released a new lower-priced air/fuel ratio meter that allows you to monitor your mixture, while being easy on your wallet. This is a no frills meter that simply displays real time monitoring, it is not capable of logging or any real time playback unlike FAST's other systems.




TCI Streetfighter Ratchet Shifter for S197 Mustang

Have an automatic S197 Mustang that you want to manually shift with ease? Well, TCI has a new Streetfire ratchet shifter for you. In addition to it’s functionality, it is much more aggressive looking then the stock shifter. The installation is about thirty minutes and hooks up to all the factory harnesses. Construction is all aluminum with a plastic surrounding cover. On the cover is the overdrive button, which is easy to get to.

The major upgrade of the TCI shifter is the positive stop shift action which allows you to manually speed shift without hanging up between the gears. In fact, it uses the factory shift cable, and is even NHRA/LEGAL. Expected to be available in early 2009.



Check out all the related Comp Performance Group sites for more information:
http://www.compperformancegroup.com/
http://www.zex.com/
http://www.tciauto.com/
http://www.racingheadservice.com/
http://www.fuelairspark.com/
www.compcams.com/

[Tom@StangTV]

Brake pads are a crucial, but often unsung hero in many race applications. Most people concentrate on speed or cornering ability rather than their ability to stop. Hawk Performance came to SEMA with a new series of brake pads which can help even the highest performing cars come to a complete stop thanks to their unique engineering - HPS.

Their HPS Performance Street Pads are made from a special zinc dichromate plating that reduces corrosion and allows for smoother brake engagement. A ferro-carbon brake compound increases pad and rotor life while also increasing stopping power. The result - less brake dust! Developed by aerospace engineers, you know so there is a ton of research behind these pads.

For more information on these new brake pads and other Hawk products, check out: hawkperformance.com

[Tom@StangTV]

Fox Body Molestation Headers - Bowtie into a Fox

Swapping in a bowtie into your Fox Body Mustang? AFCO has a set of bolt-and-go headers for small blocks Chevy transplants. The headers are step style that start as 1-¾” and increase to 1 7/8ths” and ends at a 3-inch collector. AFCO designed the headers around many popular aftermarket K member manufactures. Additionally, the headers clear the factory starter and steering shaft while also fitting angle or straight plug heads. AFCO raised the port location to help un-shroud the exhaust port. The headers come complete with all bolts and gaskets.

For additional info, log on to: AFCOracing.com

[Tom@StangTV]

Ever wanted a clutch that can handle 1800 foot-pounds, and also be drivable? Well, SPEC now adds the GT500 platform to their twin-disc family. The face of the kit starts with a lightweight, billet pressure plate. “The more surface area on the clutches, the more streetable the clutches are”, explained David Norton from SPEC. The twin discs are then offered in varying stages, starting from least to most aggressive:

• Fiber
• Puck Style
• Carbon Full Face
• Centered Iron

The kit is fully rebuildable and upgradeable. The total weight of the twin-disc kit is 25 pounds, 11 pounds of that is the flywheel. This is significantly lighter then a conventional steel pressure plate, single disc clutch.

Check out: www.specclutch.com for more info!

[Tom@StangTV]

Mr. Gasket had plenty of new products this year at SEMA, so we took a nice long look at their display and picked out battles.

New Header Bolt Kits for Modular Engines

Mr. Gasket offers many different styles of header bolts for a wide variety of applications including metric kits for newer Modular Series engines. Most sets come in black zinc or stainless steel, and all feature compact bolt head and flange is ideal for use where space is minimal which is typical on header flanges

Black Zinc Header Bolts

• Bolt head incorporates a combination hex and socket design for quick and easy installation as well as removal
• Black zinc bolts resist corrosion and provide a clean professional appearance

Stainless Steel Header Bolts

• Made from durable 304 stainless steel
• Resist rust and corrosion, provides a clean professional appearance

Here you can see the Header Bolts and Carburetor Studs as well as some of Mr. Gasket other offerings.

Stainless Steel Multi-Layered (MLS) Exhaust and Header Collector Gaskets

These are Mr. Gasket's all new performance gaskets: manufactured from three stainless steel layers, these gaskets resist corrosion and best of all will not burn through or push out while they maintain maximum fastener torque retention. The stress-formed inner and outer layer embossments act like springs that rebounds under exhaust flange clamp load, creating a force to seal excessive exhaust pressure produced from the cylinder heads. Other features include:

• Withstands different combinations of cylinder head, exhaust header, and manifold materials
• Will not deteriorate from scrubbing action caused by different expansion rates in aluminum and steel material

Check out www.mr-gasket.com for more info.

[Tom@StangTV]

If you are a performance enthusiast, then you have heard of Superchips. At SEMA this year they brought the newest version of their Flashpaq vehicle performance programmer to show off. The Flashpaq can do everything from tuning, to adjusting your vehicle’s speed limiter or engine rev limiter to accessing and clearing diagnostic codes. This makes it a very useful tool for those of you that want a tuner "plus".

With new support for Ford, GM, and Chrysler this programmer will improve horsepower and torque on almost any vehicle you drive, and you can even download support for new models online! Check out some of the Flashpaq’s features below:

• Multiple performance-enhancing calibrations including fuel economy
• Compatible with Superchips Data Acquisition software package
• New model year support downloadable via Superchips.com
• Improves shift points and firmness
• Able to calibrate speedometer, odometer, and shift points for wheel, tire or gear changes.

Check out www.superchips.com for more info.